Reformat gone bad - please help

From the OP's other thread,

Acer Aspire M3202 desktop

Need help locating Acer Drivers

The drivers are old here so if Win7 installer or Updates gives or has given you newer I would stick with those if they report in working order in the Device Manager: Acer | Download

However it does appear you are connected to a network, says as much, correct? What other networks are there when you left click the icon? I've already asked so need you to go back and answer every step since the last ones you answered.

There is no wireless button on an Aspire Desktop PC. Do you have a wireless card or are you using a USB adapter?

Oh, sorry. My pc is an Acer Aspire m3202 Desktop. I use a receiver on the back of my tower which screws in (not a dongle) to connect me to my router. I assume that's what a wireless button is for on a laptop?? I have never owned a laptop, so I'm quite clueless about them.

I believe you are correct. Whenever I look at the other available networks listed it shows that I am connected to my network, but as you say it shows that it is unidentified.

The modem and router are one and the same device, provided by my ISP, so I don't think I can power them up separately.

I disabled the wireless network connection and diagnosed the local area connection and it prompted me to investigate router or modem issues - "Local area connection doesn't have a valid IP configuration" - Unidentified network - no access.

Okay, we can shelf this thread till tomorrow if you all think I should wait till tomorrow and call my ISP for troubleshooting services.

gregrocker said:

Being prompted for wireless key during install means the installer provided that driver. That you have working Ethernet and Wireless adapters which are not in error means that drivers are installed.

Look for the wireless button on the top or side of the laptop, or it can be a hotkey like F3 on some Acers. It should light an LED, switch may be near that. If we had your model number we could google it for you, or you can do it yourself.

But it sounds like you are connected to Unidentified Network. I would left click on SysTray connection icon to disconnect from that network and choose your own. Are networks listed?

Unplug modem and router for one minute, start Modem, then a minute later start router.

If this fails disable Wireless adapter and connect by wire, repeat the troubleshooting steps. The same issue should not occur for wired Ethernet connection unless the router is faulty. Plug the wire into the modem to see.

You can troubleshoot these on the phone with your provider which is included in your bill. But they will likely want you to bypass the router if they didn't provide it. Is it under warranty? If so you can call their tech support to have them help you.

Did you plug wire directly into modem? Try that now after power cycling the modem.

This will narrow it to router or modem so you know who to call.

If it connects from modem then the problem is your router. Is your router provided by your ISP? They have tech support on weekends normally.

Also look at Network and SHaring>Change Adpater Settings. How many adapters are listed there. Do you have anything else plugged into the PC. I get "Unidentified network" when I plug a crossover cable between PC's to transfer data.

I am getting ready to take my dog to the beach but will text my friend and fellow MVP Rayda to look in as she is one of the best in the world at networking and resolves these for me regularly.

I tried to update drivers (network adapters) and it said that "Windows indicates that this is the best up to date driver" but I guess that could be just because I wasn't currently connected to the internet - I just wanted to see what it would say.

Anyways, there are three other networks available besides my own.

gregrocker said:

The drivers are old here so if Win7 installer or Updates gives or has given you newer I would stick with those if they report in working order in the Device Manager: Acer | Download

However it does appear you are connected to a network, says as much, correct? What other networks are there when you left click the icon? I've already asked so need you to go back and answer every step since the last ones you answered.